--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Television is where I cut my teeth." description: "\"Television is where I cut my teeth.\" — Idris Elba" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99b/idris-elba-3366_cutting_television-is-where-i-cut-my-teeth-25743_2574333.png" --- # Television is where I cut my teeth. ![“Television is where I cut my teeth.” quote by Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99b/idris-elba-3366_cutting_television-is-where-i-cut-my-teeth-25743_2574333.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99b/idris-elba-3366_cutting_television-is-where-i-cut-my-teeth-25743_2574333.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99b/idris-elba-3366_cutting_television-is-where-i-cut-my-teeth-25743_2574333.png) > “Television is where I cut my teeth.” [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He credits television as his formative training ground, shaping his skills. **In simple terms:** TV shaped his early development. Key Takeaway Value early experiences. Themes media career development learning Mood nostalgic proud Type reflective career When to use this quote - acting - production - media studies Key Concepts skill acquisition industry insight Questions to Reflect On - What early experiences shaped your career? - How can newcomers leverage current media? A Different Perspective Early platforms can define career paths. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) ## Related quotes > [I really cut my teeth on off-off-off Broadway shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bea-arthur/i-really-cut-my-teeth-on-off-off-off-broadway-shows/) [Bea Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bea-arthur/) > [I ended up doing literally every television show ever made, for at least a day. It was great to see how that worked. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-j-adams/i-ended-up-doing-literally-every-television-show-ever-made-for-at/) [Patrick J. Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-j-adams/) > [I came out of the closet very young, and I had to cut my teeth pretty fast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rufus-wainwright/i-came-out-of-the-closet-very-young-and-i-had-to-cut-my-teeth-pretty/) [Rufus Wainwright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rufus-wainwright/) > [I cut my teeth as the black raccoon-- For implements of battle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/countee-cullen/i-cut-my-teeth-as-the-black-raccoon-for-implements-of-battle/) [Countee Cullen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/countee-cullen/) > [I was just a folk singer. I cut my teeth on the streets, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cass-mccombs/i-was-just-a-folk-singer-i-cut-my-teeth-on-the-streets-you-know/) [Cass McCombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cass-mccombs/) > [Parents are the bones on which children cut their teeth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-ustinov/parents-are-the-bones-on-which-children-cut-their-teeth/) [Peter Ustinov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-ustinov/) > [I cut my teeth on religious liberty issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-pruitt/i-cut-my-teeth-on-religious-liberty-issues/) [Scott Pruitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-pruitt/) > [I was blessed with a good character in 'Hollyoaks,' and I cut my teeth in 'Brookside' as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-sloane/i-was-blessed-with-a-good-character-in-hollyoaks-and-i-cut-my-teeth/) Barry Sloane > [My mom always says I cut my teeth on the church pew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-lambert/my-mom-always-says-i-cut-my-teeth-on-the-church-pew/) [Miranda Lambert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-lambert/) > [Even though I'm a jazz-trained drummer, I cut my teeth playing rock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-chamberlin/even-though-i-m-a-jazz-trained-drummer-i-cut-my-teeth-playing-rock/) [Jimmy Chamberlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-chamberlin/) > [In Cleveland, music was always a big part of my life. That's really where I cut my teeth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-foster/in-cleveland-music-was-always-a-big-part-of-my-life-that-s-really/) [Mark Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-foster/) > [I cut my teeth as a journalist writing about societies that didn't have democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrystia-freeland/i-cut-my-teeth-as-a-journalist-writing-about-societies-that-didn-t/) [Chrystia Freeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrystia-freeland/) > [In the olden days you cut your teeth on the northern club circuit. I've cut mine on the southern black-tie circuit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-armstrong/in-the-olden-days-you-cut-your-teeth-on-the-northern-club-circuit-i/) [Alexander Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-armstrong/) > [Punk rock and metal has always been a home to me, it's where I cut my teeth; and those are the friends that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dyer-baizley/punk-rock-and-metal-has-always-been-a-home-to-me-it-s-where-i-cut-my/) [John Dyer Baizley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dyer-baizley/) > [I started inventing things, and then I couldn't stop, like beavers, which I know about. People think they cut down trees so they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/i-started-inventing-things-and-then-i-couldn-t-stop-like-beavers/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) ## More by Idris Elba > [Apparently, Daniel Craig said I'd be a great Bond. Daniel, why did you say that? Dropped me right in it! What an honor it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/apparently-daniel-craig-said-i-d-be-a-great-bond-daniel-why-did-you/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [It's weird because my parents don't really understand my business. I get fan mail all day long, but if a piece happens to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/it-s-weird-because-my-parents-don-t-really-understand-my-business-i/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [As an actor, you're trained to do the right thing, be politically correct, say your lines, say the right thing about the people you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/as-an-actor-you-re-trained-to-do-the-right-thing-be-politically/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [There's the argument that you can relate to someone who's completely unrelatable. In the way that a director shows you his imagination on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/there-s-the-argument-that-you-can-relate-to-someone-who-s-completely/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [Why work so hard to have a life...But kill ourselves to earn a living?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/why-work-so-hard-to-have-a-life-but-kill-ourselves-to-earn-a-living/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [I just played indoor football for the first time since tearing my Achilles playing the same game...I'm HEELED!!! Get it!!??.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/i-just-played-indoor-football-for-the-first-time-since-tearing-my/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [I was really ambitious, so I was innovative. I was one of the first DJs to do live calls, 'cause I found this phone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/i-was-really-ambitious-so-i-was-innovative-i-was-one-of-the-first-djs/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [If I was gonna go to jail, I don't want to go to jail for stealing a bottle of water. I'll steal that $20…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/if-i-was-gonna-go-to-jail-i-don-t-want-to-go-to-jail-for-stealing-a/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [My Father always told me that a fool at 40 is a fool for life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/my-father-always-told-me-that-a-fool-at-40-is-a-fool-for-life/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [I'm rebelling against being handed a career, like, 'You're the next this; you're the next that.' I'm not the next anything, I'm the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/i-m-rebelling-against-being-handed-a-career-like-you-re-the-next-this/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [The people that matter to me don't mind who I am and the people that mind, don't matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/the-people-that-matter-to-me-don-t-mind-who-i-am-and-the-people-that/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [As much as it's nice to step into that massive world of Hollywood and be a big, famous actor, I prefer the career of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/as-much-as-it-s-nice-to-step-into-that-massive-world-of-hollywood-and/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [I've always had ambition, and the acting was successful and put my name on the map, but it was never the plan to stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/i-ve-always-had-ambition-and-the-acting-was-successful-and-put-my/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [It's actually quite criminal how 'The Wire' was systematically ignored.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/it-s-actually-quite-criminal-how-the-wire-was-systematically-ignored/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) > [I have one of these bodies. When I was younger, I could never put weight on, and now that I'm a little older, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/i-have-one-of-these-bodies-when-i-was-younger-i-could-never-put/) [Idris Elba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) [Explore all 132 Idris Elba quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/) ## More Cutting quotes > [“I locked the door and turned on the water to fill the tub. I made it so hot that I had to get in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-crandall/i-locked-the-door-and-turned-on-the-water-to-fill-the-tub-i-made-it/) [Susan Crandall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-crandall/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [Since I worked with Danny Boyle before on Slumdog Millionaire, we have great success and everything. So, when I first got the script and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-rahman/since-i-worked-with-danny-boyle-before-on-slumdog-millionaire-we-have/) [A. R. Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-rahman/) > [A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-man-has-a-right-to-use-a-saw-an-axe-a-plane-separately-may-he-not/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I didn't understand Southland Tales script at all! Is there a single word to describe it? Cacophony? It's celebrity meets pornography meets politics -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-grant/i-didn-t-understand-southland-tales-script-at-all-is-there-a-single/) [Beth Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-grant/) > [Confidence comes from cutting yourself some slack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/confidence-comes-from-cutting-yourself-some-slack/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [The nineteenth century lynching mob cuts off ears, toes, and fingers, strips off flesh, and distributes portions of the body as souvenirs among the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ida-b-wells/the-nineteenth-century-lynching-mob-cuts-off-ears-toes-and-fingers/) [Ida B. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ida-b-wells/) > [There ain't no such thing as black Muslims. That's how they tried to cut off all my brothers in the rest of the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/there-ain-t-no-such-thing-as-black-muslims-that-s-how-they-tried-to/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [ We have no clear ideas of the agency of \[demonic\] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of-demonic-spirits-nor-is-it/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [The child who ran weeping to you with a cut finger is now brought home, smiling gamely, with a broken collarbone and incredible contusions-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-brown/the-child-who-ran-weeping-to-you-with-a-cut-finger-is-now-brought/) [Pam Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-brown/) > [Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/somewhere-somebody-must-have-some-sense-men-must-see-that-force/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [“I hate the way you talk to me And the way you cut your hair I hate the way you drive my car I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/i-hate-the-way-you-talk-to-me-and-the-way-you-cut-your-hair-i-hate/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [God holds each of us by a string. When we sin, we cut the string. But God ties it up again, making a knot.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meister-eckhart/god-holds-each-of-us-by-a-string-when-we-sin-we-cut-the-string-but/) [Meister Eckhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meister-eckhart/) > [What's the difference between obsolete and cutting edge? Obsolete works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-negroponte/what-s-the-difference-between-obsolete-and-cutting-edge-obsolete-works/) [Nicholas Negroponte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-negroponte/) > [Geometry, which should only obey Physics, when united with it sometimes commands it. If it happens that the question which we wish to examine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-le-rond-d-alembert/geometry-which-should-only-obey-physics-when-united-with-it-sometimes/) [Jean le Rond d'Alembert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-le-rond-d-alembert/) Browse all 6,010 Cutting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Television is where I cut my teeth.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Idris Elba" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/television-is-where-i-cut-my-teeth/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cutting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/television-is-where-i-cut-my-teeth/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99b/idris-elba-3366_cutting_television-is-where-i-cut-my-teeth-25743_2574333.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99b/idris-elba-3366_cutting_television-is-where-i-cut-my-teeth-25743_2574333.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99b/idris-elba-3366_cutting_television-is-where-i-cut-my-teeth-25743_2574333.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Television is where I cut my teeth.” — Idris Elba", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Idris Elba", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idris-elba/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Television is where I cut my...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/television-is-where-i-cut-my-teeth/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idris-elba/television-is-where-i-cut-my-teeth/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```